A CIRCUS ringmaster has declared his intention to stand for election as an “alternative” candidate in the General Election.

Doktor Haze, from the Circus of Horrors, will appear on the ballot paper in Brighton Kemptown on June 8.

Haze, real name John Hayes Mabley, said he decided to stand once he realised the election coincided with his show’s performances in Preston Park as part of the Brighton Festival.

He said: “Brighton has a lot of fond memories for me, it was the first city The Circus of Horrors performed in commercially back in 1995.

“We have been to the city many times since and aside from London The Circus of Horrors has performed more times in Brighton than anywhere else.

“I also love the diversity of the city and the tolerance and understanding of other cultures and communities within Brighton. this is one of the issues I will be campaigning for.”

He has outlined his eclectic manifesto on his website, which includes:

  • a sensible Brexit deal, a small EU divorce bill, and extra investment in public services funded by tax rises and borrowing.
  • The abolition of the party whip system with MPs free to campaign and vote as they wish. (He says whips should only be used in fetish clubs.)
  •  A new law that anyone wearing a t-shirt sporting the name of a band should have to own at least four of their albums
  • A new law for theatres advertising productions including dwarves (for instance pantomimes) to have to employ real dwarves. He calls the practice of using children “dwarf-ist”
  • Venues which advertise “70s nights” to have to play rock and metal tracks alongside disco hits
  • Hallowe’en to be a national bank holiday

He concludes: “Some might call it a ‘coalition of chaos’ others might think it’s just good sense.”

Brighton Kemptown is expected to be a hotly contested fight between previous MP Conservative Simon Kirby, who had one of the smallest majorities in Parliament, and left wing Labour candidate Lloyd Russell-Moyle.

The Green party, which garnered more than 3,000 votes at the last election, has stood aside in favour of Mr Russell-Moyle.

Several other independents have put £500 at risk by standing for election.

Andy Lutwyche, a maths teacher, father and sportsman from Worthing, has launched his campaign to become the first independent Member of Parliament for the constituency of East Worthing and Shoreham.

Mr Lutwyche says the constituency deserves better than Tim Loughton who is defending his seat and promises that, if elected, he will fight for a better deal for his community on education, the NHS and transport.

The community and pastoral leader (chaplain) of Littlehampton Academy, Paul Sanderson, will stand in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton.

He said: “I watch a lot of football and I like to get involved from the stands, shouting suggestions, singing encouragement and sometimes screaming frustrations. Recently I found I was doing the same to the TV.”

He said he was tired of politics in which people are not putting one another down.

And Patcham businessman Nick Yeomans will run for election in Brighton Pavilion, a seat held since 2005 by Green Party leader Caroline Lucas. He is campaigning for the re-allocation of school places in Brighton, an increase in social housing, the scrapping of business rate revaluation, and an end to the rail strike.

He said he would give people better health and social care, and is in favour of tougher sentencing and stronger defence.